Bill Belichick (AP)

Forbes has published its annual list of coaches’ salaries, and Patriots coach Bill Belichick is at the top of the list once again. Forbes says he makes $7.5 annually, which is tops among all North American football, baseball, basketball and hockey coaches.

Belichick’s salary has been a closely guarded secret over the years. The last time we heard talk about it was back in 2007, when it was reported the coach and franchise agreed to an extension that would keep him with the franchise through at least the 2013 season, according to ESPN. And earlier that year, Belichick made a brief mention about his contract situation.

“I don’t talk about contracts, but I would say I like working here, I like the organization — ownership, coaches, scouts, players, and the guys I work with,” he said in July 2007. “I appreciate the opportunity to work here, and it’s a good situation. I don’t see that changing anytime soon.”

Belichick has been a fairly regular presence on the Forbes list. In 2010, Belichick was second to then-Lakers coach Phil Jackson. But after Jackson retired followed that season, Belichick moved into the top spot at $7.5 million, which makes 2012 his second straight year at No. 1 overall.

Belichick isn’t the only New England coach in the Top 10. Celtics coach Doc Rivers was tied for second with Redskins’ coach Mike Shanahan, Rams coach Jeff Fisher and Seahawks coach Pete Carroll, all at $7 million, annually. (For the complete list, CLICK HERE.)

Per the AP, Dennard is accused of striking an officer during a disturbance outside a Lincoln bar on April 21, five days before the NFL draft. If convicted, he could face five years in prison and a $10,000 fine. Thought to be an early- to mid-round talent, it’s believed the incident led to a drop in his overall draft stock.

“Alfonzo is a guy who we spent a lot of time on. Obviously the incident affected his draft position,” Patriots coach Bill Belichick said shortly after New England selected Dennard. “But certainly we’re aware of it. We researched it, we found out as much as we could about it. Obviously as an organization we were comfortable taking the selection where we did. … There’s obviously some other things that are currently out there from a legal standpoint that I obviously can’t comment on.”

Wes Welker signed his franchise tender on Tuesday. (AP)

Given the relationship between his representation and the team and the recent tone of his comments, it was no surprise to see that wide receiver Wes Welker signed his franchise tender on Tuesday.

One day after telling WEEI’s “Mut & Lou” that he had “nine-and-a-half million reasons” why he wouldn’t miss any regular season games, Welker signed his deal, a one-year, $9.515 million package. The receiver tweeted the news shortly after 1:30 p.m. on Tuesday, saying: “I signed my tender today. I love the game and I love my teammates! Hopefully doing the right thing gets the right results. #leapoffaith”

First, Welker is represented by Athletes First, which has a historically great relationship with the Patriots: they represent several current New England players, including Aaron Hernandez, Nate Solder, Shane Vereen, Zoltan Mesko, Ryan Mallett and Brian Waters. That history almost assures the New England management that there will not be any sort of incendiary language (or nuclear options) like we saw when Logan Mankins was slapped with the franchise tag. And while Welker still has yet to sign a long-term extension, the relationship between the two sides should certainly provide a bit of optimism for Patriots fans.

As far as Welker’s comments, he told the NFL Network last month he was “in no rush” to sign his tender, and two weeks ago said on ESPNBoston radio that he was leaning toward not taking part in the team’s June mini-camp. But on Monday, he sounded like someone who was committed to getting into the offseason program as soon as possible, telling WEEI he’d “like to be at minicamp” and saying there was no ill will between the two sides as talks continued.

“I think we’re all on the same page,” said Welker, who will now be able to report for OTA’s next week and June’s minicamp. “And we’re all trying to collectively come together and make something happen. I think everybody just needs to know that. We’re all on the same page and we’re trying to work toward something.”

One of the difficult things in trying to find a reasonable framework for a long-term deal with Welker is that there’s really no one like him. His production over the last five years rivals that of Larry Fitzgerald, but no one is suggesting that he get Fitzgerald type of money. And while Welker is an invaluable part of the New England passing game, no slot receiver over the age of 30 is going to break the bank. He’s completely unique — that’s why Andrew Brandt, who has been on both sides of the negotiating table, says that when it comes to a long-term deal, Welker’s camp and the Patriots should look at the model provided when the Jets signed Santonio Holmes.

Regardless, the next major date to keep in mind is July 15 — by league rule, the two sides have until that date to work out a contract. After that, Welker must play the coming season under the franchise tag contract.

Donte Stallworth meets the media Tuesday afternoon at Gillette Stadium. (WEEI.com photo)

FOXBORO — A little older and a little wiser, wide receiver Donte Stallworth is ready for his second act with the Patriots.

The well-traveled Stallworth, who spent the 2007 season in New England before leaving as a free agent, jumped at the opportunity to return to the Patriots, signing a one-year deal as a free agent in March. It was a chance to not only go back to the scene of some of his greatest professional success, but to do so with an increased wisdom, one he confessed he didn’t necessarily have in his first go-round with New England.

“I’m a lot more mature now than I was then,” Stallworth said Tuesday during a break between workouts at Gillette Stadium. “I feel like I’m playing better. I’m in a better place mentally, physically and I just felt like at that time I was still trying to mature and grow into a professional athlete. I feel like I’m a lot further down the road than I was last time.

“Back then, I was really more relying on my talent,” said the 6-foot, 220-pounder. “Now that I’m going into my 10th year, I think I run better routes now and understand different coverages and what teams are trying to do.”

The 31-year-old Stallworth, who had 46 catches for 697 yards and three touchdowns with the Patriots in 2007, said a large portion of that increased off-field maturity is because of what he went through in 2009 when he was charged with DUI manslaughter following an accident in Florida. He spent time in jail, and was suspended for the duration of the 2009 season.

“The year I was out and just sitting around and watching my teammates play and watching my friends play, it was not a good feeling,” Stallworth said. “It’s the same, even when you’re hurt. Guys never want to miss games. Anytime you miss something that you appreciate in life or that you love in life, if you have an opportunity to get it back, you always have a better appreciate for it next time.”

Stallworth said that after spending time with the Browns (2008), Ravens (2010) and Redskins (2011), walking back into the New England locker room was an “interesting” experience.

“It was a little weird feeling. It was kind of surreal,” he said. “But honestly, I think it took about a week or so to get adjusted and to really realize that, hey, I really am back; it’s not just a dream. It’s been good being back and seeing a lot of the same, familiar faces — friendly faces. So it’s been good. It’s been five years, but not much has changed other than all the restaurants and stuff around here. That’s a big difference.”

Stallworth enters a crowded field at wide receiver — the Patriots have loaded up this offseason at a position they were already pretty well stocked coming off the 2011 season. Stallworth, Jabar Gaffney, Anthony Gonzalez and Brandon Lloyd join a group that includes Wes Welker, Deion Branch, Julian Edelman, Britt Davis, Matthew Slater and Chad Ochocinco.

“It’s going to be good competition; we’re all friends, we all have known each other for awhile and respected each other’s games, so we’re going to make each other better,” Stallworth said. “We’ve been doing that now, with the workouts and really having fun, and the real fun gets to start on Monday when we start practicing. Who knows how it will play out, but I’m feeling good; I’m feeling healthy.”

Here are some more highlights of Stallworth’s Q&A with the media:

Did you ever want to go anywhere else? “Being here it’s obviously a special place and I’ve always had a lot of respect for Mr. Kraft and really the whole organization and a lot of the players here. Still got a lot of friends on the team, so I just thought that it made a lot of sense for me to come back here and try to help this team win some ballgames.”

Does it feel like 2007 all over again? “Well, that was so long ago, so now it’s five years later, so a lot has changed since then. Within that process last year, being with the Redskins, we didn’t make the playoffs. That’s something that I wanted to have an opportunity with me getting a little older and up in age, just wanting to have an opportunity to put a championship at the end of my name, and I think we’re one of many teams that has an opportunity to do that this year.”

What’s it take to come in and have success immediately in Patriots offense? “I think the main thing is, this offense is pretty much different than any other offense, at least that I’ve been in, in the NFL. It’s not a West Coast offense; it’s got its own deal and obviously it’s had a lot of success, even with Josh leaving — either in ‘08 or ‘08 — and still being successful here. And Josh took it to Denver and St. Louis and they put up some good numbers. So you just have to put in the time and it’s not like any other offense, so something you really have to do is put in the time and it’s like anything else. Once you get the hang of it and get familiarity with the whole thing it can obviously do some good things for you.”

What’s the expectation for when practices start Monday? “Do your job. [laughter]. We didn’t have an offseason last year with the lockout. This year it’s a little different, with the rule changes. It’s always exciting when you can get back out there, put the helmets on, when you can finally start easing out of the weight room and conditioning part of it, and get back into practicing and football-specific things, then that’s always the fun part. Guys are excited. Obviously I feel we had a good draft class, picked up some guys in the offseason. Right now we’re just trying to put this thing together. We got I’m not sure how many coaching sessions, but Monday will be the fun day and I’m sure everyone is looking forward to it.”

Markell Carter had no problem running with the rookies this past weekend at Gillette. (WEEI.com photo)

FOXBORO — Of all the players at rookie minicamp this past weekend at Gillette Stadium, the one that could have taken issue with the fact that he was there was Markell Carter.

The defensive end/outside linebacker was maybe the most productive member of the Patriots’ practice squad last season — it was a rare occasion when he didn’t have a black practice jersey in the locker signifying that he was one of the practice players of the week.

But the glass-is-half-full Carter looked on the opportunity to take part in rookie minicamp as a blessing. In a session with the media before heading to practice, he was able to convey just how important the weekend of work is for him, especially since he didn’t get a chance to get into a game last season.

“I’m getting a lot of work in that I wasn’t able to get last year, so this weekend my main focus has been getting better, just trying to grow in the defense and pick up on those things I missed last year,” he said.

It was an up-and-down year for Carter. He was a sixth-round pick out of Central Arkansas, but didn’t get the necessary foundation for a rookie heading into his first season in the NFL because of the lockout. Carter and the rest of the rookies got a late start, and that affected their overall development.

“Of course, whenever you can get a couple months in before that’s always going to help. I got here [and] on the first day, I got a playbook about this big on my desk and the next morning I was expected to know it all,” said Carter, recalling last season. “So to just have that time to prepare and just feel comfortable with the teammates, that means a lot, too.”

Carter made the roster, and landed on the practice squad. While there was no game action, the Patriots thought enough of him to give him a bump in pay from the usual practice squad contract of $150,000 to more than $300,000. It was an investment in their future.

“There was no bitterness that I wasn’t able to play,” said the 6-foot-4 Carter. “Bill [Belichick] is a great coach. Whenever he says I’m ready, I’m ready. The pay raise let you know that they’re interested in you, and whenever your boss gives you a pay raise, you’re going to feel good about yourself.

“It was a little bit more motivation. For me it was like they wanted me here, but they gave me this pay raise just to show me how much they’ve invested in me, so I need to invest more into them as well.”

And it’s clear that Carter has used the year to his advantage: He has remade his body, going from 250 as a collegian to an estimated 275 pounds (thanks, he says, to a diet consisting of a lot of peanut butter-and-banana sandwiches). He says he still has the same burst when it comes to getting after the passer.

He also got a chance to understand what it takes to succeed on the NFL level.

“I learned a lot — just the whole operation, just the day-to-day, how to be a professional. I learned the Patriots way,” said Carter. “How to handle myself with this whole new situation that I’ve kind of been thrown into. The time on the practice squad gave me a lot of time to develop, gave me a lot of time to focus on who I was as a football player and even as a man myself, being on my own.”

With the added bulk and a year under his belt, Carter will now figure into the mix in the search for some depth at pass rusher. New England lost Mark Anderson in free agency, while the future of Andre Carter remains murky because of a late-season calf injury he suffered last December. Carter is part of a group of younger defensive players (like rookies Chandler Jones and Dont’a Hightower) who are anxious to prove themselves at the next level.

“You’ve got a lot of young fresh legs running around out there. You’ve got a lot of eagerness out there. We all want to prove ourselves,” said Carter. “Us being so young, we haven’t established ourselves in this league. So we just kind of want to build on what some of the older guys like Andre and (Shaun) Ellis and [Gerard Warren] and some of the guys did last year and just keep building on that.”

Mike Hartline (WEEI.com photo)

FOXBORO — When he first joined the Patriots as a free agent in March, wide receiver Anthony Gonzalez (who spent five seasons with Peyton Manning in Indianapolis), joked that when it comes to working with quarterbacks, he has a “very strict Hall of Famer-only policy.”

Mike Hartline can make the same tongue-in-cheek boast. The quarterback, a Kentucky product, spent last season as an understudy working with Manning and the Colts. Now, after signing with the Patriots in January, he’s doing the same thing with Tom Brady.

“Every player is different. Obviously, those guys are both arguably two of the best ever, so when you can get to work with them and to talk to them a little bit, you try to pick their brain,” Hartline said of Manning and Brady.

“They’re leagues beyond where I’m at. To try to dig too deep can get confusing sometimes. So you try to go at your own pace, you do your own style and hopefully, the things you do, show with the coaches and you get an opportunity to stick around.”

Hartline, who took part in Patriots rookie minicamp this past week at Gillette Stadium (it was OK because he hasn’t spent six games or more games on a team’s active, inactive or reserve list), said that to this point, Brady has been “nothing but supportive” since he joined the franchise earlier this year.

“But at the end of the day, I have to work by myself,” said Hartline, who passed for 3,178 yards with 23 touchdowns as a senior at Kentucky. “I have to go out there and try and do everything that I can in order to get an opportunity to be a part of something special. But he’s been great. A real nice guy. I look forward to working with him.”

Hartline is well aware of his situation: right now, he’s fourth on a depth chart that includes Brady, Brian Hoyer and Ryan Mallett. However, has a couple of things in his favor: First, he’s the brother of Brian Hartline, who has spent the last three seasons in the NFL (two of them as a fairly regular starter) as a wide receiver with the Dolphins. Thanks to his brother, he already has some insight as to what to expect at the professional level.

“We look to each other more of moral support, I want to say. We never really try to tell each other how to play, or what to be like,” Hartline said of his brother. “Just to mentally stay positive. Sometimes things won’t go your way. To have a guy like that to be a support system is really beneficial.”

He also stood to benefit from his situation: He was the only quarterback on the roster (among the invited players) at camp, and so he got plenty of work in practice situations. In addition, he was also to benefit from more individual coaching, as the numbers at camp were far less than what they might be during the regular season, and more conducive to one-on-one coaching.

“I was excited when they said I could do it,” Hartline said of the opportunity to take part. “I wasn’t sure with rules if I could or not, but I’m happy that I am. I’m learning a lot every day. Obviously, with CBA rules, it’s a little bit difficult to get more time in than you can with you coach, but I try to put in the extra time — come early, stay late. And do everything I can to be ready for the next step.”

May 24, 31 and June 7: Organized team activities
June 12-14: Minicamp
Late July: Start of training camps across the league
Aug. 9: Preseason Game 1, home vs. Saints, 7:30 p.m.
Aug. 20: Preseason Game 2, home vs. Eagles, 8 p.m.
Aug. 24: Preseason Game 3, at Buccaneers, 7:30 p.m.
Aug. 29: Preseason Game 4, at Giants, 7:30 p.m.
Sept. 9: Regular-season opener, at Titans, 1 p.m.

Sixth-round draft choice and former Ohio State walk-on Nate Ebner practiced after being relegated to the stationary bike for the media portion of Friday’s workout. The safety didn’t partake in stretching drills, but later joined his peers for positional drills.

Bill Belichick’s son, Steve, took on his role as a coaching assistant while helping conduct a kickoff drill.

“They make it clear that this is a business and you should treat it like a business, both from their standpoint and our standpoint,” Herman said. “We have full-time jobs here. You don’t have to worry about school or putting to much on younger kids. Now, we’re adults. This is our job, so you’re going to have a more complex playbook.”

Herman comes to the Patriots under the tutelage of Hawkeye coach Kirk Ferentz, who served under Bill Belichick from 1993-95 as an offensive line coach with the Browns. His understanding of the shrewd lifestyle of the NFL was matched by the personal growth he said he needs as a player to make the Patriots squad, especially with the roster already rife with talented tight ends.

“I can develop in all areas — that’s the important thing,” Herman said. “Compared to these guys, I’m nothing. I’m just trying to learn from them, get better, and get to the level that the coaches want me at, and what I need to be at to play to my best abilities.

“You’re at the same level as they are,” he continued. “They are just men, like you, at the end of the day just trying to have a job. That’s how you have to treat it. You can’t be star struck.”

Herman’s numbers improved vastly his last year at Iowa. In 12 games last season, he had eight catches for 92 yards and a touchdown. Ferentz ran a pro-style offense at Iowa which benefited Herman, but nevertheless, the intricacies of the pro game are something he hopes to adapt to with time, all while proving to the coaching staff he belongs.

“Some things I’m used to as far as the coaching technique,” Herman said. “Ferentz and Belichick are tied into each other, I know that. It helps, but overall I really don’t know much at this point. It’s still a huge learning curve.

“You go out there and try to establish yourself,” he said. “Do what you can to help the team, give your full effort and it’s up to the coaches to decide. If they think you’re good enough then you make the team, if not, try your luck elsewhere.”

Justin Francis meets the media at Gillette Stadium on Saturday. (WEEI.com photo)

FOXBORO — Justin Francis recalls his first meeting with the Belichick family: It was his sophomore year at Rutgers, and he was sitting next to Steve Belichick in a math class.

“Yo, you’re coach Belichick’s son,” Francis said to the son of the Patriots’ head coach. “I suck at math, so don’t judge me, all right?

The two soon struck up a friendship, one that deepened shortly after Steve Belichick walked on the Rutgers team as a long snapper. He and Francis became teammates, and now, the two have been able to extend their relationship: this spring, Francis was signed by the Patriots as an undrafted free agent, while Steve was added to the New England coaching staff as an assistant.

“It’s been a good little journey,” Francis said Saturday before practice at Gillette Stadium. “Steve has been a great friend for me for quite some time.”

Francis said there are “a lot of similarities” between the father and son, and it’s been good having a familiar face on the coaching staff.

“It’s kind of weird,” looking at the younger Belichick as a coach instead of a teammate. “But like I said, he’s a good friend. I know he’s never going to direct me down the wrong path. I take that and I keep that. I’ll always respect him. I respect his job. I respect him as a friend as well.

“We haven’t really sat down and got into anything like that. He’ll give me a wink and keep my spirits up — ‘Hey, let’s work.’ And I’ll tell him and give him a nod like, ‘Let’s work.’ Just keeping my spirits up. I’m keeping his spirits up. We know we’re going to go for a tit-for-tat thing.”

The 6-foot-3, 270-pound Francis posted very good numbers over the course of his college career (106 tackles, 22 tackles for loss and 12 sacks), culminating with 60 total tackles, 5.5 sacks, one fumble recovery, one interception and five passes defensed as a senior.

He’s one of several Rutgers imports for the Patriots over the last few years. In addition to Steve Belichick, he’s also been able to lean on Rutgers’ products like defensive back Devin McCourty and defensive lineman Alex Silvestro.

“I sit down and talk with Alex every day,” said Francis. “I haven’t ran into Devin yet — I was actually talking with him on the phone last night, and he told me the same thing, just staying in my ear. I’m going to sit down and get with him, pick his brain a little bit. Picking Alex’s brain every day. Basically doing as much as I can to better myself and better this organization.”

Rookie minicamp is also a great opportunity for younger players to get more individual coaching — with fewer players on the field, there’s more of a chance for them to get some one-on-one time. Francis agrees that “it’s comforting” to be able to get some specialized time with position coaches.

“We can always go to our coach and pick his brain and ask him about something we were confused about in practice, or something we were confused about during a meeting,” he said.

“Some guys don’t like to ask questions sometimes, so what you do is just pull the coach to the side and say, ‘OK coach, can you go over such-and-such with me.’ ‘Hey coach, I have an issue on this.’ Coach has been right there for me — all the coaches, really. Even the special teams coaches. Even the offensive coaches help you out and are in your ears. It’s a great feeling.”